Improvement in the mode of protecting plastered walls and ceilings from fire



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER NAYLOR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MODE OF PROTECTING PLASTERED WALLS AND CEILINGS FROMFIRE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. L087. dated Februa y 21539- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER NAYLOR, of the city of New York, in the Stateof New York, have invented a new and improved mode of protecting thewalls and ceilings of such apartments as are usually finished with lathand plaster against the effects of fire by substituting perforatedplates of metal for the lath of wood usuallyemployed; and Idoherebydeclare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

I take thin sheets of metal, preferring, so far as my experience hasgone, tin-plate as prepared for the purpose of manufacturing tinware, asI have reason to believe that the tinning protects the iron completelyfrom the action of the lime used and from oxidation generally. I do notintend, however, to confine myself in this particular, but to use anykind of sheet metal which I may find adapted to my purpose. Whentin-plate is used the distance of thejoist or of the timbers generallyto which it is to be attached must be within the limits of the length ofsuch plates; but when sheetiron or other metal is employed the distancemay be greater. I take the sheet metal which is to be used and I punchnumerous holes through it-,-tiifi the manner of a grater, using either around or chisel-edged punch, as may be preferred. The diameter of theseholes may be from an eighth to a quarter of an inch. When the plateshave been so punched I nail them onto the joist, scantling, or studswith the rough or burred edges of the perforations outward. For greatersecurity I take strips of hoop-iron, which I nail on the timbers instrips before nailing the sheet metal, and when this is done it would bedifficult to heat the metal through its two thicknesses sufficiently toset fire to the timber, even without the pro: tecting influence of theplaster. The sheets of metal may be seamed together at their edgesbefore nailing them on. \Vhen the sheet metal has been properly securedto the timbers I proceed to plaster the walls in the usual manner,omitting, however, the first rough-coat which is necessary when laths ofwood are employed. The plaster will pass through the numerousperforations in the sheet metal, and will be as securely keyed andretained in place as when done in the ordinary way. It has been found,also, by experiments carefully performed that the plaster will not flakeoff by a long continued heatso readily asit does from wooden laths,which warp and twist, and thereby aid in 100s ening the plaster.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The employment of perforated sheet metal as a substitute for laths onwalls and ceilings to be plastered, using and applying the samesubstantially in the manner herein fully set forth.

PETER NAYLOR.

K. S. VAN VooaHts.

